Page 12 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“Exactly.” Olivia sat down on the bed and gestured to Jane to join her. “I feel as though I have been given this chance to truly stretch my wings and discover who I am. I want to use this season to find out whatIlike and want.”
Jane nodded enthusiastically. “What you say makes a strange kind of sense. I, for one, love picking up new hobbies — though it oft’ drives my family rather mad depending on the hobby.”
“Really?” Olivia tilted her head. “Why ever do your past times upset them?”
“Sometimes it is the frequency with which my fancies take me and change. Other times it is the fancies themselves.” Jane gave Olivia a rather sheepish grin. “The worst was when I decided to learn the bagpipes. I went out one day, and when I came home, they had mysteriously vanished.”
Olivia laughed. “Well, I do not think I shall be learning the bagpipes… though perhaps music would be fun to pursue. I had not really given hobbies much thought. I think I’d rather try a few and see what takes my fancy.”
“Well, why don’t I write a list? I can include all that I know although some of them are rather unladylike. Mother has spent most of my life telling me what hobbies are suitable for a younglady and more importantly, what hobbies men find desirable in the women they are courting.” Jane gave Olivia a sly glance.
Olivia felt her cheeks redden but smiled. “Is there anything your mother doesn’t know?”
“I don’t think so.” Jane laughed as the clock struck eleven. “You know, we have been rather cooped up while you have been settling in; what say you to a promenade about the shops? I am sure mother has been itching to go.”
Olivia beamed at the other girl and nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds like an excellent idea.”
A few hours later, they had visited the modiste and ordered Olivia a wardrobe full of new clothes and a few new dresses for Jane. They had also visited a cobbler and ordered several pairs of new shoes each.
Olivia could tell that Jane was reining in her desires. Often, Jane would choose several items and then reduce the number by half. Olivia, who shared her brother’s generous spirit and had been given an ample allowance for her season, felt that the best thing to do would be to purchase the items for her new friend and gift them to her.
After all, the Pembleton’s are doing so much for me; it is the least I could do.
“What are you doing?” Jane asked after she spotted Olivia doing this at the cobblers.
“I was buying you those shoes you wanted,” Olivia explained.
“What? But. No, that is… What? I couldn’t possibly accept such a gift.” Jane’s face was a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Mortified, Olivia realised what her friend would think.You fool.“Oh goodness, Jane! I did not think. I… Well, it is only that you and your family are doing so much for me… I… Well, I thought this would be a good way to repay your kindness.
“If it makes you uncomfortable, I shall not do it again. It is only, well, I wanted to show you my appreciation.” Olivia smiled tentatively. “It was not charity. Just… Well, what is the use of having a duke for a brother if I cannot spoil my friends on occasion?”
Jane looked somewhat mollified but still uncertain. “I would prefer if you asked next time.”
Olivia nodded. “I promise. Now shall we go to the milliners? We are both in need of hats. Perhaps a few ribbons and such. Oh, I think Lock’s also does gloves.”
“Yes. Let’s go.” Jane linked an arm through Olivia’s, and together they stepped into the milliners.
Olivia loved the excitement on her friend’s face as she looked at the various hats on display. She had always loved shopping but had never had the joy of shopping with a peer.I really must make a habit of doing this more often; it is much more fun than with a mother.
“You know, when we were younger, Rose, Emily, and I would play a game to try and find the silliest hat in the store. We’d try on the most ridiculous new fashions and all fall about laughing.” Jane gave Olivia a sidelong look.
“I think that sounds like an excellent idea.” Olivia beamed and grabbed a monstrosity of a purple hat and put it on her head. “What about this? Would you say it suits me?”
Jane giggled. “I would say you look rather fetching.”
“Thank you.” Olivia curtsied and then put the hat back.
They each took turns patrolling the shop and finding what they thought was the most ridiculous hat or bonnet. As Olivia rounded a corner, she found the perfect hat.
It was a pink Neapolitan bonnet with strings of the same colour and several of the gaudiest flowers Olivia had ever seen. The bonnet itself was larger than most others.I must show this to Jane.Olivia carefully took the bonnet and placed it upon her head.
The bonnet was rather too large for her, and she had to keep propping it up. Feeling rather pleased with herself, she turned around, expecting to find herself face to face with Jane.
The hat slid down as she turned. An odd scent that reminded her of nutmeg and cinnamon wafted over her. She lifted up the rim of the bonnet, grinning broadly, and found herself staring into the rather bemused face of Nigel Maxton.
Colour flooded her cheeks, and she removed the hat at once, carefully putting it back on the model.
